2019-09-03 - Take A Shot

Because on paper he works here, Greg is lurking around near the door to the back room. Presently sporting an elegant gray pair of coveralls which completely encompass him from neck to ankle, Greg taps at his phone with a bored look. A little patch on his chest informs anyone who cares to read it, 'Hello, My Name Is: Juan' in nice cursive embroidery. Sniffing quietly, he shuffles around, adjusting the hang of something beneath his coveralls.

Cole occasionally likes to come out to the Firefly Club to dance. He may or may not have realized that it was singles night when he had headed over after work, but now he's here and he doesn't seem inclined to head out. Seated up at the bar, he has a drink in hand, something amber in a tumbler with a couple of ice cubes. He leans against the bar and enjoys the people-watching for the time being.

Clarissa just wanted a night out and if she had realized it was singles night she likely would have picked a different place. Not that there are a ton of choices in this town. Grimacing briefly, she heads over to the bar, weaving her way through the crowds to head up to the bar by Cole, "Can you make a midori sour?" She asks the bartender, raising her voice to be heard above the music. "Or maybe I should start with something stronger? Is it too early for shots?"

Evie hadn't been 21 for very long but she was now. This was her second event where there were drinks and things served and she figured she would come to it too! She had won the trivia contest after all. She looks around a little before walks over to the bar and orders something fruity.

Joey had everyone out of the damn house and it was either listen to his damn intern and take a night off and socialize at one of the Man's many pies he's got his damn hands in or go back to the gym and frankly he's been at work a lot this week. He cleans up when he wants to. Still them jeans , but turns out he's still got a nice shirt with buttons on it. He stops for a small chat, of course knowing the bouncer and plods his way on inside giving the scenery a once over with some amusement while the music thumps through the walls.

Kai's walked by this place more than a few times in the last year. Tonight was no exception, but by the end of the block, she was already reading a message that causes her to turn around and walk right back to the club and venture inside after getting carded. She heads up to the bar and begins to wait. It should be a wait average to what any other dude experiences.

Sparrow might not know how to do singles night as she doesn't arrive alone, one of Nicole's hands captured in her own as she leads the way into the club. "It'll be fun," she insists. "Promise! Worst case scenario still involves drinks and dancing, so." Can't be all that bad! Definitely in the only recently started drinking legally crowd, her hair is once again as obnoxiously red as it had been in high school, readily recognizable. She wears a black and white striped tee loose enough to slope off one shoulder to reveal an aquamarine bra strap with a pair of jeans and sneakers with laces that match her bra, decidedly intentional. A few loose accessories, eyeliner on point and dimly glossed lips. Yep. Someone's ready for small town clubbing.

Julia is here, but she's a little leery of it all. Singles night. To her it feels like a big pointy arrow at her lack of social success, but it hasn't stopped her from coming. So the red dress is tight, the red lips are curved, and the cat-eye makeup is smoky. Her hair is braided back, large hoops piercing her ears. A girl is ready. She heads to the bar, waving her hand in the hopes that Greg will see her.

If he'd realized it was Singles Night, Andy probably would have dressed better. Not that that is really an excuse for showing up at a night club in a pair of beat up jeans and a t-shirt advertising the Grand Grimaldis Casino. He grimaces as he glances around, then shrugs, not one to worry all THAT much, and heads over to the bar. Once the bartender has taken care of everyone who looks hot or like a big tipper first, Andy finally gets a moment of time and says, "You got any stout on tap? I'll take a black and tan."

Seeming a little nervous as she is pulled into the club (well, not truly pulled, but she doesn't look as eager as Sparrow), Nicole takes a breath and nods. "Drinks and dancing. What could go wrong?" Smiling, the hairdresser takes a look around. She's been a bit of a recluse since returning to town. "I wonder if I will even see anyone I know." Dressed in a pair of nude sandals and a cute little navy silk romper with an off-the shoulder neckline, Nicole's legs are on display, her hair worn down. Her makeup is subtle, but she has taken the time to look good at least.

Cole gives Clarissa pleasant enough smile as she makes her request of the bartender. "I'm pretty sure it's not too early for shots," he opines since he happens to be nearby. He lifts his own glass and takes a sip from it. He's not particularly dressed up, wearing a pair of comfortable jeans and a plain white long-sleeved t-shirt with some black suede oxfords. The blondes and the jersey shore wannabes are watched with some idle amusement and he lifts his drink as though it were a microphone, speaking into it in a low whisper as though a nature-documentary host, "As the males near the watering hole, they display their oil slicked plumage and sound the mating call, attracting the attention of the nearby females.."

Greg glances up from his phone, and looks over at Julia by the bar. Her wave brings a slow grin to blossom across his features, and he certainly seems pretty at home as he wanders over to lean on the corner of the bar. "What's good, beautiful?" he asks as he tucks his phone away, then sets his elbows on the bar, propping his chin onto his fists. "I don't do drinks, though." That grin transmutes into a smirk, but a playful one. "In case you don't know."

Evie is wearing a black pleated mini skirt, it's still decent because it's not a micro-mini skirt. It does show off her legs, but they are kind of short. She's not a tall girl by any means and not as short as some. The shirt she wears is black with a layered white tank beneath it. calf high combat lookin boots are worn with it. Such a rebel. Her blonde hair is left in loose waves that tumble down her back. Her fruity drink arrives and she thanks the bartender after she pays and tips. Turning back, she looks around and skips over the immature looking guys that just arrived and looks directly towards the bad for her ones. Probably. Hi Joey. Hi Greg. Trouble..

Some woman that looks right out of high school with her dress painted on turns to Joey when he gets to teh bar and is almost about to open her mouth when he doesn't even look at her, "Neeeeewp." Ignoring the rebuffed look and crestfallen face his eyes are on the damn bartender. licking his lower lip thoughtfully he carries on casual like that didn't ever happen. A $20 in half is folded on the counter. "7&7, man." Always make friends with the bartender first. Yup, tons of eyecandy. Aint' at all a bad way to spend an evening! Eyebrow goes up and there's an upnod to teh neighbor, Julia. To Clarissa he comments, "Pace it. Don't skip the good part."

Clarissa gives Cole a small, thin smile and then glances back to the bartender who is pretty busy serving people that probably don't even have very good fake IDs. With a sigh she turns around and leans back against the bar, giving Cole a more amused look at his commentary. "So which one is the zebra that doesn't make it across the river before the alligator chomps?" She asks conversationally. "My bet is anyone in a flashy dress. Bright colors, always a poor choice."

Sparrow grins like she might be ready to provide a list of all the magnificent ways that things can go wrong, but she spares Nicole the terrible details. Instead, she focuses on the latter curiosity and points to Joey. "Well, for one, I spy another Kelly, just as good-looking as the first." Eyes playfully going wide as she looks to her friend, she says, "I've seen him do things you wouldn't believe," in a manner that can only be interpreted salaciously, even if that's stretching the truth a bit. As she heads toward the bar to order herself a beer--oh, let there be a sour available!--she spots someone that she knows and waves excitedly to Evie. And then gives her a up-and-down look over with a wide-eyed and decidedly approving grin. Looking good!

Julia gives Greg a pout. "You're the only white boy I know who can make a halfway decent mojito." she protests. Halfway decent! She does a little turn around for him to show off the dress. "You're sweet. Got any brothers?" she teases and at the upnod from Joey, gives him one of her own.

Kai lifts two fingers to get the bartender's attention and orders, "I want a Slow Comfortable Screw." It's loud enough to cut through any chatter nearby. She slides her card across to open a tab.

"Gold sequins," Cole says to Clarissa when she asks which one is the zebra that doesn't make it. "Gold sequins who didn't get the memo that that lipstick does nothing for her." It's pretty clear who he's talking about. The poor thing looks like a deer in headlights more than a zebra, and she's trying /so very hard/ to get the attention of one of the jersy shore guys. He shakes his head before taking another sip.

Andy looks down toward the Attenboroughs, eyebrows raising at the nature commentary, but mostly keeps to himself while waiting for his drink to eventually materialize. Any moment now, certainly. When the midori sour shows up for Clarissa he looks from the neon drink to the woman ordering it and back. "Oh ho. Is it rush week already?" He squints at Clarissa. "Kappa Alpha Theta?" His drink finally arrives and he takes it in hand, adding, "I should have ordered an appletini. We'd match."

Oh Evie knows Sparrow! With a blossoming smile she lifts her hand and waves, "Hi!" she calls across the room, catching the grin and giving a thumbs up in return. Back at ya! She sips her drink and doesn't wait around to be noticed, she just has fun in her one person party here, lifting the skewer of fruit from her drink and taking a bite of the strawberry as she wanders around.

Nicole follows the direction that Sparrow points to with her own dark gaze. At the comment about seeing him do things, she looks back to the red head with a surprised look. "Um... okay... He was a year ahead of me, I think..." Nicole murmurs as she begins to follow Sparrow towards the bar. She glances towards who her friend waves to, then looks for the bartender. "I am going to need more than a beer..."

Clarissa nods knowingly about the girl in the gold, clicking her tongue, "At least we need a disco ball later we have a volunteer." she picks up her neon drink and gives Andy a onceover, "No. I don't think we would. And Kappa Kappa Gamma, thank you. The ones you marry." She turns to look over the crowd again, taking a sip of her drink.

Sparrow's gaze slides curiously toward Kai as she catches that order, smile skewing crookedly, but Nicole's comment steals her away before she gets the chance to say anything stupid. Unless, "Shots?" qualifies. It's optimistic, even! A brightly voiced alternative to boring old beer. She's game. "I'll let you call 'em, pretty."

Joey murmurs to Kai on the other side of the bar corner, "Don't we all?" The address isn't missed and the boxer flashes a sharp grin to Sparrow, "Know that for a fact now? Sup? Lookin sharp." Cole's comments get a snicker and he looks over with a sigh, "Christ, Sparrow, tell me it ain't my problem." Looking over he asks, "Who's the friend?"

Sparrow gives Joey a playful brow-waggle for the compliment and assures him, "It's not your problem, handsome. You don't have any problems tonight." Beat. "Not unless you want some." And, with that, she gestures just shy of Vanna White toward her partner in crime for tonight and introduces, "This is Nicole. She is a miracle worker who likes songs she can get down to way more than sappy love songs, and she is going to do a shot with me. Join us?"

Greg bats his eyelashes fetchingly at Julia, really putting full wattage on that boyish smirk as he answers her -- in flawless Spanish. "If you like my mojitos, baby girl, you should try my breakfast mimosas." He reaches within his highly fashionable coveralls, rifling in a hidden inside pocket until he produces a vape pen. This he rips on, lungfully, as he considers Julia. "You from around here?" he asks, now back in English. His eyes notice the cute young blonde walking around with the fruity drink, but he only watches her a little bit, not wanting to be rude to his conversation companion here.

"Shots work! Yes. Tequila?" Nicole asks to Sparrow before turning to the bartender. "Tequila shots, four.. that will do for now." She nods then asks, "so... is this singles night a regular thing? It's definitely packed." Turning towards Joey she smiles and waves at him (like a dork). Nicole Stein, I graduated the year after you. I think." (Yep, still a dork.) She rolls her eyes at Sparrow's comment about music then chuckles. "You'll have a shot, right? I ordered four already, so just say yes."

Sipping that fruity drink with the fruit filled skewer, Evie is having fun just meandering along the border of the dance floor and the tables. When the fight breaks out she's far too close to it and almost gets plowed over in the process. It's the big guy, when he punches the other one she notices something and her eyes widen as she stumbles a few steps back. No need to yell and cause a panic but she looks back for anyone she knows well enough. Hurrying over to Joey, she grabs his arm and tugs on it, fear in her eyes. "Hey.. HEY.." Tugging until he looks at her. "He's got a gun,," this part is whispered for only him, if she can manage.

"Every night," Kai says back to Joey with a lopsided smirk. She's not as quiet as him, and doesn't seem to care. She turns around with highball in hand, one of those wolf in sheep's clothing kind of drinks. "This some special-" she's about to ask Joey, but then she overhears someone talking about it being singles night. "Perfect." She looks at the girl who comes up to Joey, but no one can hear stuff over all the chatter even when it's not whispered.

Julia eyes Greg a moment. White boy speaks Spanish? That impresses her. She responds in the same language. "Yeah. Moved away when I was young and came back recently. A friend of mine works here." Him calling her 'baby girl does earn him a faint roll of her eyes, but she's smiling, so it seems goodnatured. Of course, then there's a little spot o'violence, her brows lifting. "Just another night at the Firefly. Last time I was here, my cousin punched a guy."

"Tequila," Sparrow agrees easily, nevermind that she's already got a beer in hand. Catching Kai chatting with Joey, she calls over an invitation of, "Join us?" Her smile skews weird when Evie crowds in close to Joey, and she gestures to the bartender to make it five. Might as well share with all and sundry. Is Nicole paying for this? They'll sort it out later.

Andy gives a quick bark of a laugh at Clarissa's neg, the kind of PAW laugh one gives when they really aren't expecting it. "Well-" he starts, but that's all he gets to when people on the floor start throwing swings. "Jesus Christ, guys." He pushes away from the bar and gulps down the back half of his drink, then says to Clarissa, "Imagine I said something really clever in response to that. I'm not saying I would have, but let's go with a best case scenario." Then he's pushing his way through the crowd, dipping into his back pocket and pulling out his wallet, which flips open to reveal his GHPD badge. What a buzzkill! "Ahoyhoy, big guy, over here. I know that this is part and parcel of the club, but c'mon, it's singles night. You're not going to run into that specials omeone in jail. Probably. I mean, I know a guy who met the love of his life in Multnomah County, but I'm guessing that's not the usual." He holds out a hand to help up Jersey Shore. "You okay?"

Joey does his best to remember back 10 years ago and nods to Nicole slowly taking that at face value but not shutttign Sparrow and her friend out. "Nicole? Rings a bell. " When the shots get poured up on the bar he tells Sparrow with a chuckle, "Fuck yeah. I'm like the captain America of drinking. I can do this all day." Taking one of those shots he sets it in front of Kai, no questions asked. "Joey. Join us." When Kai's face pulls a grimace at singles night he head tilts, "That ...too." Like radar his awareness tracks movement. Swings. The brawl that does not involve him...yet... and the GHPD? "They're like goddamn ants."

"Who's your friend?" Greg asks Julia, switching back to Spanish happily enough. His eyes turn toward the little bit of a scuffle, and he snorts, shaking his head. "This is a stupid place to act like that. I wonder where Andre is tonight?" Greg spares a glance or two around the establishment in the hopes of spotting his enormous, terrifying friend, but no luck. "It ain't me, any damn way," he says in English, with a chuckle. He does keep his eyes on the fight now, though, and he reaches within his coveralls to check for something. Whatever he finds, it seems to reassure him, because he seems pretty unperturbed as he continues puffing his vape. Then Johnny Law (or is it Andy Law?) springs into action, and Greg zips his suit up just little bit higher, turning back to Julia. "I just moved here from Seattle a few months ago," he tells her, once again in Spanish. "I don't really know too many people around here, but I have a business, down the road. And I kind of work here a little bit." He tucks the vape into the front pocket of his suit to extend a hand towards Julia, now pointedly avoiding looking anywhere near Mr. Badgeguy. "Greg... Greg Sumpter."

As the activity level and flood of people picks up, Cole eventually ceases his commentary to just enjoy his drink and take everyone in. But when a brawl breaks out, his attention is dragged in that direction. He remains right where he is, however. He's a dancer, not a brawler, after all.

"Hannah Butler." Julia says. Her eyes drop to the way he adjusts his suit, and then she looks back over to the scuffle while still speaking to Greg. "She does the IT work for the club. Coordinates the sound system, the lights, stuff like that. Sounds like you might know her too, if you know Andre?"

Clarissa is about to reply to Andy, but then he's headed out to be a hero and she shifts uncomfortably against the bar at the whole violence display, "Well. Closest to New York this place has come so far," she murmurs with a grimace, setting her drink down and ordering a fruity shot, "Wish it would've tried harder with the pizza rather than the violence."

Kai lifts her chin to Sparrow and Joey in acceptance to the invitation and shifts more into the group. "Kai," she seems ambivalent to whatever else is going on right now, more than happy to work on her drink. "Who do I put out to for this?" she asks in jest as she picks up her shot with her other hand and kicks it back.

Giving the bartender her card for her tab (yes, she's paying. At least this round), Nicole makes sure each person has a shot before taking two for herself. She takes a lime and runs it along the glass but doesn't seem to be going for any salt. Downing one shot, then sucking at the lime she gives her head a small shake, but overall seems to enjoy the shot. The fight draws her attention and she looks towards it before giving a wave to Kai. "Nicole. Hi." She smiles and lifts up her second shot in a toast, though she doesn't drink it yet. "It's on me this time." She perhaps did not pick up on the connotation of what was said.

Andy hefts the meathead up, does the kind of once-over someone who has no clue what they're looking for as far as, like, concussions or whatevers go, but want to feel like they were thorough, then nods. "Yeah, it happens. Just watch yourself." He glances sidelong as the big Russian guy wanders off, then grumbles, "Officer? Maaan." He puts his badge away and makes his way back toward the bar, but stepping away from the bar on a busy night means losing your place. "Yep. That's about right."

Sparrow follows the general flow of attention toward Andy and the guys fighting all the way over there. Though her nose scrunches with distaste, it's clear she hasn't caught any sight of a gun. And if Joey's still game for tequila shots, she's still game for tequila shots. "Sparrow," she croons with a low-lashed look and wide smile to Kai as she plucks up her own glass. It might be an answer to that offer made in jest. Before Nicole claims credit, which earns a wry twist of her lips and a little shrug. She downs her shot in one swift swig, still making something of a face as she asks Evie, "Everything alright?"

Greg nods to Julia with a grin. "I know Hannah -- kind of. She never fucking talks. But then you're her friend, so she must talk to you." Greg tilts his head a bit to the side. "So tell me the truth: does she take off her skin at night like a suit, and like, beam back up to the mother ship?"

The guy was a cop? Why didn't Evie know him? She walks over to where he is and she tugs on his arm. "Hey, hey! That guy, that big guy, he has a gun." Just trying to get someone to pay attention, she points him out. Hearing Sparrow, she shakes her head.. "Just be careful, that guy is packing."

Did someone say gun? It's pretty hard to hear in here, but Clarissa just assumes someone is talking about the cop and downs her shot, "One more," she gestures to her empty glass and then to Andy. "And another for the t-shirt hero there. You want one?" She asks Cole.

Julia's brows lift. "So if I tell you I'm her friend, what makes you think you're gonna get anywhere with me by talking shit about her?" It's her turn to signal the bartender, asiding to Greg, "Sorry, but she and I have been through a lot. She's kind of my ride or die. You know how it is."

Joey looks to Evie calmly, "So am I. Look, the cop's right there. Club security will have already contacted backup likely and if that cocknocker pulls that piece out again stand on the other side of that bar or on the other side of me there while that asshole has a really bad day. Evie it'll be fine." Looking back to Sparrow he nods calmly. Fine, everythig's just fine. Kai's question draws a laugh, "Well shit, I'd say that's dealer's choice but I'l totally willing to grab second round. Don't let that asshole ruin the evening."

Greg's head shoots up when the cute young blonde says 'he has a gun', but finds to his happiness that nobody is looking at him. Except the local girl who still hasn't told him her name. Greg gives Julia his absolute tip-top very bestest charming smile, reserved only for those flagship occasions of greatest need. "Don't get me wrong girl, I don't mean any disrespect. I just get like a cold vibe from the chick. I don't know if we've said a dozen words to each other, you know? It's just that she's quiet-like. I don't really get that, or how to relate to it or whatever."

Kai just chases her shot with more drinking. "Thanks." She looks from Nicole to Sparrow, and then unfortunately finally whatever ruckus is going on gets her attention before she even has a chance to react to the welcoming group of strangers. "Then I'll get round three, if everyone can keep hanging," she says with a tilt of her head and an arch of her eyebrow to the others. Then she frowns to Joey, "Some guy has a fucking gun here?" Time to casually scan for the nearest table that isn't bolted to the floor.

Julia smiles faintly at that. "Julia Reyes." she says. "And yeah, Hannah's quiet. It's just her way. But she's smart as hell - " she starts to say more, but then she too is distracted by mention of a gun.

Sparrow stiffens at the warning from Evie, wide-eyed attention turning to Joey, like she trusts him more than the might-be-cop she doesn't know. Everything's fine, says that nod, and so she nods back, letting the ease sink back into her shoulders. "Second round's on you," she agrees, smile growing wider as Kai steps to keep the party going. "We'll see who's still standing before I throw down for four, but count me in for the ride."

Andy is definitely watching the big guy as he heads across the bar. When Evie tries to get his attention he looks to her, then back at the Russian. "Yeah, that doesn't really surprise me." But Andy doesn't have his gun, and also a standoff in a crowded nightclub is a bad way to start his peacekeeping career his first week back in Gray Harbor, so he just commits some features to memory and then nods to Evie. "The tense moment's over. But if you see him again, steer clear." He looks to Clarissa and snorts. "Sure, I'll take a midori sour. You know what they say. Beer before candy melon drink, wake up crying in the sink. Or something."

"Sure," Cole says to Clarissa when she asks if he wants one, too. "I don't think I've ever had one, but why not?" He then glances over to watch as the big guy moves away, though when somene mentions that the man has a gun, he doesn't look quite so relaxed, despite Andy's reassurances that the tense moment is over. He tries to relax a bit, shaking it off.

Still working on coming out of her shell, Nicole watches the crowd; from those nearby and their commentary, to the ruckus itself. She leans her back against the bar and downs that second shot, the extra one she ordered for herself. She is trying to relax, trying very hard, and not going to let a little thing like a possible gun ruin her attempts to socialize.

Clarissa is very much ignoring talk of guns and instead focuses on handing out those radioactive looking drinks, "To those happy moments before anyone knows your name," She says, raising her glass in a mock toast, "And to being nearly drunk enough to want to dance. Salut!"

Cole takes one of the toxic hued drinks and lifts it, staring at it speculatively for a moment or two, and then raises it along with Clarissa, an amused smile on his lips before he takes a sip. His expression once he does is curious, a little bit circumspect, and not entirely resolved one way or the other between like or dislike. "You like these?" he asks her, as though that might be grounds on which to judge far graver than alleged spousal murder.

"Good to meet you, Julia," Greg says with a lopsided grin. He notices her concern, and shakes his head. "I wouldn't worry about it Julia. Even if they're right, the guy would have to be brain dead to pull a gun in here." Still, Greg seems to be keeping an eye on the big Russian now.

Walking over to Sparrow, Evie smiles and gives her a quick hug if the other girl allows it. "I don't really want to stay right now. Be careful and I'll see you later okay?" She leaves her drink behind and takes the long way around the dance floor so she can sneak out unnoticed.

"This delicious yet decidedly alcoholic beverage that tastes like candy and gets you blackout drunk before you realize it? Yes." Deadpans Clarissa as she takes a big gulp of hers.

Andy knocks back his alcoholic gatorade and manages not to make a face. "If nothing else, Kappa Kappa Gamma, I can promise not to tell you my name." He sets the glass back down and gestures to the bartender. "Sour Appletini for the lady. Easy on the tini. Not sure she could take it." He glances past her to Cole, then adds to the bartender, "And another for him. Medium tini."

Sparrow reciprocates the hug from Evie and offers her number so they can keep in touch. It's been a couple years. "Take care, yeah?" But even with the potential of gun violence, she's sticking with it. Joey's looking after them, and there's tequila and music. It'll be fine.

"So are you guys from around here originally?" Horrible small talk will distract everyone from a guy who thought it'd be good to pack heat while stepping out for a drink. She watches as Evie leaves, "She's probably the smart one. I'm going to be the drunk one." Still though, she looks back the way Evie left and then to Sparrow. "She okay?"

Joey watches Sparrow for a long ass moment. Joey, as is the norm, seems more annoyed than phased by this. At the very least it's an assurance that if there is bullshit it won't be her fucking problem. Well Evie's off and the four of them remain. "Nicole, it's fine, it's been sorted." And the guy doing the sorting steps over and he says only, "He's not worried" of Andy. He throws back the shot and holds up four fingers to the bartender and then taps them down for 4 more. "Kai, he's gone. We've seen stupider." He points to Jersey Shore #3 over there snorting with a grin, "Like that douchenozzle."